Middle School Band

Middle School Band classes meet every other day (A day/B day schedule). 7th and 8th grade students meet in mixed-instrumentation classes, of about 25 or so students per class; in 6th grade we try to keep classes a bit smaller, with like-instrument groupings if possible. There are grade-level full band concerts in the winter and spring, where students perform everything from classical music to arrangements of soundtracks from popular movies and TV shows.  Students begin focusing on gaining instrument proficiency and music literacy, and establishing part independence while working on some of the more nuanced aspects of ensemble playing.  Each winter, 8th grade band students participate in the Annual RHS Band Festival as they develop their readiness for progressing to the high school level.  Exceptional Middle School band students are encouraged to audition for the Western Region Middle School Band Festival, where they perform with the finest of their peers from all across Fairfield County.

There are 2 extracurricular ensembles in which middle school band students have an opportunity to play advanced literature:  Wind Ensemble (typical concert band instrumentation), and Jazz Band (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drum set). Both ensembles require auditions for membership. Wind Ensemble meets before school on Tuesdays; Jazz Band meets after school on Wednesdays.  In the spring, these groups participate in field trips and adjudicated performances, such as the WCSU Jazz Festivals or Lake Compounce Fantastic Festivals.